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How to achieve the best lighting for your bathroom
Most people completely underestimate lighting when they decorate their bathrooms. If you really take advantage of lighting your bathroom can go from ugly to paradise with just a few small changes. Here’s how you can liven up your bathroom with some lights:
Don’t scrimp on ceiling lights
Sure, you’ll be adding task lights and feature lights to change things up, but don’t skip the overhead bulb. Keep the bathroom bright and inviting with recessed lighting overhead as your general light source.
Hot tip: Invest in a dimmer! You won’t always be in the mood for bright white lights. When you feel you need to relax and unwind a bit, a dimmer can easily change the room’s mood.
Prioritise task lighting
Task lighting is any light that aids in an important task, I.E. a desk lamp for studying or under-cabinet lights for prepping meals in the kitchen. In the bathroom, it’s important to provide ample lighting for makeup application, shaving, and other similar tasks.
Hot tip: Avoid placing your task light directly above the mirror. Positioning the light this way puts a weird shadow on your face. Instead, place wall lights or sconces on either side of the mirror.
If you don’t have enough wall space for two sconces, you can also use LED strips behind the mirror as vanity lights.
Go for LED lights
LED lights may be more expensive up front, but they will save you more money in the long run. They aren’t just energy-efficient; they’re longer lasting than fluorescent and incandescent bulbs.
11 Pinterest-worthy bathroom lighting ideas
Ahoy, matey!
If you’re going for a nautical theme – think lighthouses, a porthole-style mirror, and walls covered in shiplap – complete the look with cage sconces on either side of your mirror. These wall-mounted fixtures will make your bathroom look just like the interior of a ship!
A modern farmhouse look
A farmhouse-style bathroom doesn’t have to look too rustic. Hang Edison bulbs encased in black cages from the ceiling, either over the toilet or the bathtub. Then complete the farmhouse aesthetic with an accent wall of wood panels.
Vintage lamps and marble sinks
Got a gorgeous marble sink in your bathroom? Complement the statement piece with a giant bronze-framed mirror and vintage shaded lamps mounted on the wall.
19th-century chic
If you want to go for something traditional, channel the Victorian era with a lavish clawfoot tub and a beautiful chandelier hanging overhead.
Make the most of natural light
If you’ve got few or small windows in your bathroom, maximise the natural light coming in by getting large mirrors for vanity tasks. Mirrors reflect light and make any room appear bigger and brighter. Another way to maximise natural light is to keep walls as white as possible!
Mid-century modern
If you’re going for a mid-century modern aesthetic at home, it’s easy to get the look down pat if you know what light fixtures to use. If you’re into chandeliers in the bathroom, go for a gold sputnik chandelier. If you’ve got high ceilings, try putting up a glass globe wall sconce above the vanity mirror.
Round pendant lights
If you’re tired of sconces, change things up by hanging pendant lights from the ceiling. A clean and minimalist bathroom will look good with round frosted pendant lamps with soft white LED lights inside.
Add task lighting to the tub
Sometimes, you want to curl up with a good book in the tub, but turning on all your overhead lights just ruins the mood. Install a wall-mounted reading lamp above or beside your tub so you don’t strain your eyes reading under ambient lights.
Solar eclipse vanity
Dark grey wall, a massive round mirror, and a warm LED backlight. Combine these three things and you’ll get a high-end hotel-level vibe!
Steampunk lighting
Instead of stressing over any exposed pipes, consider going for a steampunk aesthetic in your bathroom. Attach Edison bulbs to wall-mounted pipes to illuminate your vanity mirror or provide light above the toilet.
Neon novel lamps
Add a splash of character to an otherwise plain bathroom with a novel lamp. It’s easy to find neon lamps online these days, and they usually come in tropical shapes like flamingos, palm trees, and pineapples. Match your bathroom decor to the theme by adding leafy wallpaper and lots of plants.
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